The King Philip Regional High School Concert Band will take the stage during the 2026 College Band Directors National Association Eastern Division Conference at the UMass Amherst Fine Arts Center on March 19. (Photo Courtesy King Philip Regional School District)
WRENTHAM — The King Philip Regional High School Concert Band was recently selected as one of three high school bands to perform at the 2026 College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Eastern Division Conference in March at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
This is the first time that the King Philip Regional High School Concert Band will be performing at the CBDNA Eastern Division Conference, which brings collegiate East Coast band directors together, from Maryland to Maine.
The King Philip Regional High School Concert Band will take the stage for a performance lasting around 45 to 50 minutes at the UMass Amherst Fine Arts Center at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
“We have the honor of reminding this distinguished group of collegiate educators about the passion of high school musicians and all that they are capable of,” said Band Director Michael Keough. “We look forward to showcasing the talents that our students have cultivated as part of our music education program. Our musicians never fail to impress me, and this is another great opportunity to share their musical gifts with the world.”
The King Philip Regional High School Concert Band is composed of 55 musicians, under the leadership of Keough and Joshua O. Wolloff, the school district’s Director of Fine and Performing Arts.
The King Philip Music Program submitted Concert Band recordings of performances from 2024 and 2025 to CBDNA Eastern Division Conference organizers for their consideration in the selection of high school bands to perform at the conference.
“We’d like to thank the alumni from the last two years for the role they played in earning this honor,” Keough said.
The CBDNA Eastern Division Conference will also provide King Philip’s student musicians with an opportunity to hear and see performances by collegiate bands. The CBDNA, a grassroots organization, is focused on advancing the interests of college bands, their directors and their repertoire.
“This is an amazing honor and also a chance for our students to showcase the skills they’ve developed and the incredible concert program that they’ve been working hard on during rehearsals throughout the school year,” said Principal Nicole Bottomley. “I’m not surprised that our Concert Band was selected to perform at this prestigious event, given the caliber of the program and the dedication of our students and educators. This CBDNA conference will also serve as a great opportunity for our students to experience what’s in store for them in college music programs and to see possibilities for themselves in music education after high school.”
“Congratulations to Band Director Michael Keough, his entire team and all of our students for this recognition and this opportunity to showcase our music program,” said Superintendent Dr. Rich Drolet. “We are very proud of our music education program, all of our student musicians, and the many accomplishments of our Concert Band. We wish them the utmost success with this performance at the CBDNA conference and with all of their other concerts that we all look forward to throughout the year.”
###
Discover more from John Guilfoil Public Relations
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.